Pace maestro Mitchell Starc etched his name into cricketing folklore after playing a key role in Australia’s dominant 4-1 victory in the 2025-26 Ashes. By crushing their arch-rivals England, Australia ensured the Urn remains with them for the fifth consecutive series. This triumph further cements Australia's modern-day supremacy in the sport's oldest and most prestigious rivalry.
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Mitchell Starc creates history, emulates Kapil Dev after 68 years
The 35-year-old was deservedly named Player of the Series following a monumental effort that saw him carry an injury-depleted bowling unit. With Josh Hazlewood sidelined for the entire series, Nathan Lyon appearing in only two Tests, and captain Pat Cummins available for just a single match, Starc shouldered the immense responsibility of leading a makeshift attack with veteran precision.
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Starc’s statistical impact was staggering, as he claimed 31 wickets across the five matches. His campaign was highlighted by two spectacular six-wicket hauls, proving his lethal effectiveness even without his usual partners at the other end. Beyond his primary role, the left-hander was a thorn in England's side with the bat, contributing 156 vital runs at a solid average of 26.00 to frustrate the visitors' bowling attack.
Mitchell Starc has joined the rarest tier of cricketing legends, becoming the first player since Ian Botham in the 1985 Ashes to claim over 30 wickets and score multiple half-centuries in a single series. This elite accomplishment has only been recorded nine times in the history of the sport. Starc now shares this distinction with iconic figures such as former Indian captains Vinoo Mankad and Kapil Dev, while Botham remains the only individual to have achieved the feat twice.
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Focusing specifically on five-match series, Starc is only the fifth player ever to reach this rare double. His performance marks the first time in nearly seven decades, with the last instance occurring 68 years ago during the 1957-58 season, courtesy of the legendary former captain Richie Benaud.
The statistical magnitude of Starc’s achievement is further emphasized when looking at the broader list of all-round excellence. While there have been 12 other occasions where a player took 30 wickets alongside a single half-century, only Benaud, Botham, and Malcolm Marshall have appeared on these elite lists more than once. Starc’s inclusion in this group solidifies his legacy as one of the most impactful fast-bowling all-rounders to ever play the game.
Bowlers to scalp 30 wickets and notch two half-centuries in same series:
| Player | Matches | Team | Opponent | Year | Wickets | 50s |
| Goerge Giffin | 5 | Australia | England | 1894/85 | 34 | 4 |
| Frank Foster | 5 | England | Australia | 1911/12 | 32 | 3 |
| Ian Botham | 6 | England | Australia | 1981 | 34 | 3 |
| Vinoo Mankad | 5 | India | England | 1951/52 | 34 | 2 |
| Riche Benaud | 5 | Australia | South Africa | 1957/58 | 30 | 2 |
| Kapil Dev | 6 | India | Pakistan | 1979/80 | 32 | 2 |
| Malcom Marshall | 6 | West Indies | India | 1983/84 | 33 | 2 |
| Ian Botham | 6 | England | Australia | 1985 | 31 | 2 |
| Mitchell Starc | 4 | Australia | England | 2025 | 31 |